Wood glider with outboard supports, wood glider with outboard supports and canopy, and wood glider with cross member and support interconnection

ABSTRACT

A glider includes first and second ground-engaging wooden supports, and a wooden bench seat suspended from the wooden supports. The wooden supports are located outboard of the wooden bench seat. In one aspect, the glider also includes a wooden cross-member extending from the first ground-engaging support to the second ground-engaging support. In another aspect, the glider also includes a canopy extending upward from the first and second wooden supports and over the wooden bench seat. In another aspect, each of the wooden supports has an aperture. The wooden cross-member extends through each aperture. In another aspect, the wooden cross-member extends through and beyond each aperture. At least a portion of the wooden cross-member that extends beyond the apertures of the wooded supports provides a connection location for the canopy.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Benefit is hereby claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent application Serial No. 60/438,924, filed Jan. 9, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a glider, and more particularly to a wooden glider.

[0003] Gliders, also referred to as swings, are lawn or porch furniture providing single or multiple person seating that is generally suspended so that it may rock or swing. Conventionally, gliders typically have major components that are made of metal. In one example, the ground-engaging supports of a glider are metal. Some iron-based metals, tend to rust.

[0004] One glider style is configured with ground-engaging supports that are inboard of the outermost extend of the seat. Such a configuration of inboard supports provides for some amount of concealment of the supports.

[0005] Another glider style includes a canopy that extends from ground-engaging supports. The canopy provides shade for one or more occupants located on the seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance one aspect, the present invention provides a glider that includes first and second ground-engaging wooden supports. The glider includes a wooden bench seat suspended from the wooden supports. The wooden supports are located outboard of the wooden bench seat. The glider also includes a wooden cross-member extending from the first ground-engaging support to the second ground-engaging support.

[0007] In accordance another aspect, the present invention provides a glider that has first and second ground-engaging wooden supports. The glider includes a wooden bench seat suspended from the wooden supports. The wooden supports are located outboard of the wooden bench seat. The glider also includes a canopy extending upward from the first and second wooden supports and over the wooden bench seat.

[0008] In accordance another aspect, the present invention provides a glider that includes first and second ground-engaging wooden supports. The glider includes a wooden bench seat suspended from the wooden supports. The wooden supports are located outboard of the wooden bench seat. The glider includes a wooden cross-member extending from the first ground-engaging support to the second ground-engaging support. Each of the wooden supports has an aperture. The wooden cross-member extends through each aperture.

[0009] In accordance another aspect, the present invention provides a glider that includes first and second ground-engaging wooden supports. The glider includes a wooden bench seat suspended from the wooden supports. The wooden supports are located outboard of the wooden bench seat. The glider includes a wooden cross-member extending from the first ground-engaging support to the second ground-engaging support. Each of the wooden supports has an aperture. The wooden cross-member extends through and beyond each aperture. The glider also includes a canopy extending upward from the first and second wooden supports and over the wooden bench seat. At least a portion of the wooden cross-member that extends beyond the apertures of the wooded supports provides a connection location for the canopy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a wooden glider in accordance with the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the wooden glider shown in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a wooden glider in accordance with the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the wooden glider shown in FIG. 3;

[0015]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the side of the wooden glider shown in FIG. 4;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with the wooden glider at a slightly different perspective viewing angle and with a slight structural difference;

[0017]FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the side of the wooden glider shown in FIG. 4; and

[0018]FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the wooden glider shown in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0019] A wooden glider 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The wooden glider 10 includes a wooden bench seat 12 suspended from first and second wooden supports 14 and 16. In the shown example, at least one cross member extends from the first wooden support 14 to the second wooden support 16. In the specific example, there are two cross-members 18 and 20, and the cross-members are made of wood.

[0020] Turning to the wooden bench seat 12, the seat includes a back panel 22 and a seat panel 24. The back panel 22 includes a left (in the reference frame of FIG. 1) side support member 26, an intermediate support member 28, a right side support member 30. The back panel 22 also includes an upper cross-member 32, a lower cross-member 34, and a plurality of slats 36, each attached to the support members 26-30. Likewise, the seat panel 24 includes a left side support member 38 (FIG. 2), an intermediate support member 40, a right side support member 42. The seat panel 24 also includes a front cross-member 44 (FIG. 1), a rear cross-member 46, and a plurality of slats 48, each attached to the support members 38-42.

[0021] The support members 26-30 and 38-42, the cross-members 32, 34, 44, and 46, and the slats 36 and 48 are each fabricated from wood. The cross-members 32, 34, 44, and 46, and the slats 36 and 48 are attached to the respective support members 26-30 and 38-42 via any suitable fastener means, such nails, brads, rivets, screws, bolts, adhesive, wooden rods, piece inter-fitting, and/or other known means of attachment.

[0022] In the shown example, the back panel 22 and the seat panel 24 are attached to each other. Specifically, the left and right side support members 26 and 30 of the back panel 22 are spaced a distance apart that is slightly less than the spacing between the left and right side support members 38 and 42 of the seat panel 24. A portion of the left side support member 26 of the back panel 22 is located just inboard (i.e., located more toward a left-right center dividing line of the glider) of the left side support member 38 of the seat panel 24, and a portion of the right side support member 30 of the back panel is located just inboard of the right side support member 42 of the seat panel. A fastening means (e.g., bolts, etc.) secures the left side support members 26 and 38, and another fastening means secures the right side support members 30 and 42.

[0023] The wooden bench seat 12 includes a bench frame 52, which includes left and right side portions 54 and 56, and, in the shown example, two cross-members 58 and 60 (FIG. 2). The left side portion 54 of the bench frame 52 includes front and rear vertical members 62 and 64, and upper and a mid-location horizontal members 66 and 68. The upper horizontal member 66 extends between the front and rear vertical members 62 and 64 at or near the top of each vertical member. The mid-location horizontal member 68 extends between the front and rear vertical members 62 and 64 at a middle location of each vertical member. In the shown example, an additional armrest member 70 is located on top of the left side portion 54 and provides a generally horizontal (e.g., flat or contoured) surface for an arm of an occupant. The components of the left side portion 54 are attached to each other via any suitable fastener means, such nails, brads, rivets, screws, bolts, adhesive, wooden rods, piece inter-fitting, and/or other known means of attachment. The right side portion 56 (FIG. 1) of the bench frame 52 has similar components, at similar positions, and attached in similar manners. As visible in the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for the left and right side portions of the bench frame 52.

[0024] The left side portion 54 (FIG. 2) of the bench frame 52 is attached to the back panel 22 and the seat panel 24 at one or more attachment locations. In the shown example, the rear vertical member 64 is bolted (e.g., two locations) to the left side support member 26 of the back panel 22, and the front vertical member 62 is bolted to the left side support member 38 of the seat panel. It is to be appreciated that different fastening means, different points of fastening, etc. are contemplated. The right side portion 56 of the bench frame 52 is attached to the back panel 22 and the seat panel 24 in a similar manner, with similar fastening means.

[0025] The cross-members 58 and 60 extend between the left and right side portions 54 and 56. Specifically, the front cross-member 58 extends between the front vertical members 62 of the left and right side portions 54 and 56 near to, or at, lower ends of the front vertical members. The rear cross-member 60 extends between the rear vertical member 64 of the left and right side portions 54 and 56 near to, or at, lower ends of the rear vertical members. The front and rear cross-members 58 and 60 are attached to the vertical members 62 and 64 of the left and right side portions 54 and 56 via any suitable fastener means, such nails, brads, rivets, screws, bolts, adhesive, wooden rods, piece inter-fitting, and/or other known means of attachment.

[0026] The wooden bench seat 12 is movably suspended from the wooden supports 14 and 16 by a plurality of glider bands or straps 72 (FIG. 1). Specifically, the straps 72 are attached between the bench~frame 52 and the supports 14 and 16. This attachment can be achieved by a bushing and fastener assembly, or similar, utilized at each point of attachment of the glider straps 72. In the shown example, four straps 72 are present, two associated with each ground-engaging wooden support (e.g., 14). At each ground-engaging wooden support (e.g., 14), a first strap 72 is attached to the lower end of the front vertical member 62 and an upper segment of the front portion of the support, and a second strap is attached to the lower end of the rear vertical member 64 and an upper segment of a rearward portion of the support.

[0027] The straps 72 of the present embodiment are in the form of metallic straps, however, other suitable materials or other suitable configurations can be utilized. Also, a different attachment arrangement may be utilized. For example, although the illustrated embodiment is shown to utilize two straps 72 on each side of the bench frame 52, a lesser or greater number can be used and/or the straps can be formed from an elastomeric material.

[0028] Turning to the wooden supports 14 and 16, the supports are located out board of the wooden bench seat 12. Specifically, the wooden supports 14 and 16 are located further away from the center of the glider 10 than most, if not all, of the wooden bench seat 12. In the shown example, even the armrest members 70 are located inboard of the wooden supports 14 and 16. However, it is to be appreciated that the concept of the wooden supports 14 and 16 being located outboard of the bench seat is contemplated to encompass the location of the armrest member 70 extending over the wooden supports 14 and 16.

[0029] The example left and right wooden supports 14 and 16 have similar features. As such, the left wooden support 14 (FIG. 2) is primarily discussed, with the understanding that similar features are present for the right wooden support 16. The example wooden support 14 has a general inverted “U” shape, with a front foot and a rear foot 76 and 78, respectively. However, it is to be appreciated that a different configuration is possible.

[0030] The support 14 is constructed to cooperate with at least one wooden cross-member (e.g., 18) that extends from the left support 14 to the right support 16. In the shown example, the two wooden cross-members 18 and 20 are provided. Apertures or openings extend through the wooden support 14 and the wooden cross-members 18 and 20 extend through the apertures of the support. In the example, the wooden cross-members 18 and 20 extend beyond (i.e., outboard) of the support 14. The extent of the cross-members 18 and 20 beyond the support 14 is on the order of 1-2 inches. However, the distance may be different.

[0031] In the shown example, the apertures through the wood support 14 are shaped and sized to mate with the cross-members 18 and 20 in at least a somewhat snug fit. In the specific example, each cross-member (e.g., 18) has a generally square cross-section, and the mating aperture is square of generally the same size. It is to be understood that a differently shaped cross-member could be utilized. Also, it is to be understood that the apertures could be combined into a single aperture (e.g., a rectangular aperture that is elongate along the front to back direction). With the use of a single rectangular aperture, the two cross-members 18 and 20 are located at different locations (e.g., front and back) within the single aperture. In the shown example, the two cross-members 18 and 20 are spaced from each other. Thus, a space gap 80 is present between the two cross members 18 and 20.

[0032] In the shown example, the apertures are located at a middle portion, relative to the front to rear direction, of the support 14. Thus, the cross-members 18 and 20 are connected to the support 14 at the middle portion. The location of the cross-members 18 and 20 at the middle portion of the support 14 places the cross-members at a location that is between the front and rear vertical members 62 and 64 of the bench frame 52.

[0033] In the shown example, a bolt is used to secure each cross-member (e.g., 18) to the support 14. Specifically, the bolt extends vertically through the support 14, and through the portion of the cross-member (e.g., 18) within the aperture. It is to be appreciated that different fastening means, different points of fastening, etc. are contemplated.

[0034] It is to be appreciated that different embodiments and/or variations from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are possible and contemplated. Such different embodiments and variations may be based upon the structures and features of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. However, some structure and/or features may be changed, added, and/or deleted for such different embodiments and/or variations.

[0035]FIG. 3 shows an example of a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention. The second embodiment has many of the same structural features as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As such, identical structures are identified with identical reference numeral (as needed for discussion), with the understanding that the discussion provided in connection with the first embodiment is applicable to the second embodiment.

[0036] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the second embodiment has a canopy 100. The structural components of the canopy are wooden. The canopy 100 also has a shading member 102, at an upper portion 104 of the canopy 100, that is made of cloth fabric in the shown example. However, it is to be understood that other shading material, including wooden slates, mesh fabric, etc., could be utilized. The upper portion 104 has a suitable framework (not shown in the Figures, e.g., a box-like, four-sided frame) at the upper portion 104 to support the shading member 102. The size of the framework and thus the upper portion 104 of the canopy 100 may be any suitable size, but the footprint of the canopy is generally somewhat larger than the bench seat 12.

[0037] Turning to the structural components of the canopy 100, two (i.e., left and right in the reference frame of FIG. 3) vertical wooden members 108 and 110 extend upward from the two wooden supports 14 and 16. The upper portion 104 is connected for support at or near the upper ends of the vertical members 108 and 110. In the shown example, the connection/support is via bolts (one for each side) that are tightened via the use of hand nuts 112. This permits the upper portion 104 to pivot relative to the vertical members 108 and 110. It is to be appreciated that different fastening means, different points of fastening, etc. are contemplated.

[0038] In general the vertical members 108 and 110 are of equal length. The length is any suitable length that will position the upper portion 104 of the canopy 100 at a suitable height to permit use of the bench seat 12 by an occupant, while the upper portion 104 provides shape for the occupant.

[0039] In the shown example, the vertical wooden members 108 and 110 are straight and have a rectangular cross-section. The cross-section of each vertical member (e.g., 110) has a size that generally corresponds to the space gap 80 (FIG. 4) between the two cross-members 18 and 20. As such, the vertical members 108 and 110 are entrapped, in the front to rear direction, relative to the supports 14 and 16 by the projecting ends of the cross members 18 and 20. Each support (e.g., 16) also blocks movement of the respective vertical member (e.g., 110) toward the inboard direction.

[0040] In the shown example, a bolt 116 (FIG. 5) extends, in the front to rear direction, through the front cross-member 18, the vertical member 110, and the rear cross-member 20. Thus, the vertical members 108 and 110 (FIG. 3) of the canopy 100 are held in a fix position relative to the supports 14 and 16. It is to be appreciated that different fastening means, different points of fastening, etc. are contemplated.

[0041] As an optional feature, one or both of the vertical members (e.g., 110) could have a peg 120 (FIG. 3) for holding a flower pot, or the like. It is to be appreciated that other alterations, changes, modifications, and the like are possible and contemplated. For example, FIG. 6 shows a like variation in which the front cross-member of the bench frame 52 is omitted. Such alterations, changes, modifications, and the like, in addition to various other embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be evident that this disclosure is by way of example and that various changes may be made by adding, modifying or eliminating details without departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained in this disclosure. The invention is therefore not limited to particular details of this disclosure.

[0042]FIGS. 7 and 8 show details of the structure of the side and rear of any of the previously discussed embodiments.

[0043] From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims. 

Having described the invention, the following is claimed:
 1. A glider including: first and second ground-engaging wooden supports; a wooden bench seat suspended from the wooden supports, with the wooden supports being located outboard of the wooden bench seat; and a wooden cross-member extending from the first ground-engaging support to the second ground-engaging support.
 2. A glider as set forth in claim 1, further including a canopy extending upward from the first and second wooden supports and over the wooden bench seat.
 3. A glider as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the wooden supports has an aperture, and the wooden cross-member extending through each aperture.
 4. A glider as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wooden cross-member is a first wooden cross-member, and the glider includes a second wooded cross member extending from the first ground-engaging support to the second ground-engaging support.
 5. A glider as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of the wooden supports has at least one aperture, and each of the first and second wooden cross-members extending through an aperture at each of the wooden supports.
 6. A glider as set forth in claim 5, further including a canopy extending upward from the first and second wooden supports and over the wooden bench seat, and at least one of the wooden cross-members extends outboard of the first and second wooden supports and provides a connection locations for the canopy.
 7. A glider as set forth in claim 6, wherein both wooden cross-members extend outboard of the first and second wooden supports, with the cross members distanced from each other to provide spaces, between the outboard extensions of the cross-members, that receive the canopy for the connection.
 8. A glider including: first and second ground-engaging wooden supports; a wooden bench seat suspended from the wooden supports, with the wooden supports being located outboard of the wooden bench seat; and a canopy extending upward from the first and second wooden supports and over the wooden bench seat.
 9. A glider as set forth in claim 8, further including a wooden cross-member that extends from the first ground-engaging support to the second ground-engaging support and provides connection locations for the canopy.
 10. A glider as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of the wooden supports has an aperture, and the wooden cross-member extends through each aperture.
 11. A glider as set forth in claim 10, wherein the wooden cross-member is a first wooden cross-member, and the glider includes a second wooded cross member extending from the first ground-engaging support to the second ground-engaging support, both of wooden cross-members extend outboard of the first and second wooden supports and provide connection locations for the canopy.
 12. A glider as set forth in claim 11, wherein the cross members are distanced from each other to provide spaces, between the outboard extensions of the cross-members, that receive the canopy for the connection.
 13. A glider including: first and second ground-engaging wooden supports; a wooden bench seat suspended from the wooden supports, with the wooden supports being located outboard of the wooden bench seat; and a wooden cross-member extending from the first ground-engaging support to the second ground-engaging support, each of the wooden supports having an aperture, the wooden cross-member extending through each aperture.
 14. A glider as set forth in claim 13, wherein the wooden cross-member is a first wooden cross-member, and the glider includes a second wooded cross member extending from the first ground-engaging support to the second ground-engaging support.
 15. A glider as set forth in claim 14, wherein the aperture in each of the wooden supports is a first aperture, each of the wooded supports having a second aperture spaced from the first aperture, each of the two wooden cross-members extending through a respective aperture.
 16. A glider as set forth in claim 15, wherein both of wooden cross-members extend outboard of the first and second wooden supports and provide connection locations for the canopy.
 17. A glider as set forth in claim 16, wherein the connection locations for the canopy are spaces between the outboard extensions of the first and second wooded extensions.
 18. A glider including: first and second ground-engaging wooden supports; a wooden bench seat suspended from the wooden supports, with the wooden supports being located outboard of the wooden bench seat; a wooden cross-member extending from the first ground-engaging support to the second ground-engaging support, each of the wooden supports having an aperture, the wooden cross-member extending through and beyond each aperture; and a canopy extending upward from the first and second wooden supports and over the wooden bench seat, at least a portion of the wooden cross-member that extends beyond the apertures of the wooded supports providing a connection location for the canopy. 